Page 127 of I Think I’m in Love with an Alien

Tad swipes at his eyes, mumbling, “Damn. Warn a guy, you know?”

It seems impossible that we could sleep tonight. And we don’t. Instead, we talk all night. Tam warns us about the hunters, but Jaz doesn’t live anywhere near here and Ravik is leaving. After nearly getting mauled by a bear, I hope they’ve learned their lesson and will stop pretending to be alien bounty hunters. Now, the light is returning to the sky, glowing pink and pearl at the edges, sun peeking over the tops of the trees.

I gaze out the kitchen window at the sunrise. I could offer to make breakfast, but that would only delay the inevitable, and I don’t imagine anyone wants to eat.

Tad sighs softly. “That’s our cue.”

“Time to go,” Poppy agrees.

“I do not need witnesses.” Ravik seems as if they might forbid Poppy from going.

“Well, I need a ride to the bus station. You think we’re gonna sit around in your empty house, missing you? Get over yourself.” She turns to Tad. “It’ll save you a trip if you drop me off afterward.”

“There’s room in the rental car,” he says easily.

To my surprise, Poppy gives me a fierce hug. “Thank you for everything. You’re an amazing person and a better friend.”

She goes around snuggling everybody, like she’s the one leaving on an interstellar voyage, but then, she’s always been emotional. Ravik offers only judicious pats. Tad gives quick hugs, then positions himself by the door.

“Safe travels,” Tam says. He holds me close, my beloved alien who chose me above all others.

I pause before Ravik, considering. What should I say to a friend I will most likely never meet again? “I hope you finish what you need to. And I’m glad I met you.”

“Me too,” Jaz adds. “Take care, Ravik. Don’t take any foolish risks.”

Ravik pauses by the front door. “I only allow for calculated ones. If one of you cannot remain here to look after Kevin and Frances, please find them good homes. All the chickens, if possible. Until I met you, they were my sole companions.”

Suddenly, what they’re entrusting to us feels much weightier. Not a structure, but a refuge. Their world. Their home.

“You will be missed,” Jaz says softly.

With one last nod, Ravik leads Tad and Poppy through the door. I hear the car engine start and I listen until the sound dies away before turning to scrutinize the house. It’s homey and solid, full of other people’s treasures. We can’t sell the place without Ravik, or someone pretending to be them, and that seems wrong on multiple levels.

“Looks like we have a vacation house,” I say.

“But someone will need to remain in residence,” Jaz points out.

Yeah. The goat and chickens won’t look after themselves. And it’s too far out of town to hire a pet sitter long-term. Not that I’m confident we could. I’m impressed Ravik found someone to do a few days while they went to Space Con. This isn’t like asking Nancy to give kibble to Scotty and Spock.

“We should talk about what comes next,” Tam murmurs.

“We need to move,” I say.

I didn’t realize I’d come to that decision until just now, but it’s the obvious solution. “And it should either be here…or maybe Rellows. That would give us a break from my family, and you’d only need to use the tech camo when they visit.”

“In Rellows, they probably wouldn’t comment if you went out in ‘costume’ year-round,” Jaz offers.

“And here, there is no one to judge,” Tam says.

“We don’t have to make up our minds now,” I say. “It’s been an intense few days.”

Jaz settles into the nearest chair, seeming as tired as I feel. “I’ll help however I can. But I can’t stay. Tad picked me up at the bus station in town, so I’ll need a ride later.”

“Do you want to go now?”

She pauses. “You probably want some time alone.”

Well. I do, but it seems rude to come right out and say it. But my hesitation gets her moving. “Let me gather my things. I have a flexible ticket, and the party is certainly over.”